‘Steeping’ a book depicting life’s journey with all its important moments that took place at a time when the world was more simple, when life was lived in full. People were not in any mad rush to get from one point to another.
Saitha Gnanaratnam has in her book ‘Steeping’ appropriately named, given the reader the opportunity to enjoy all that lovely nostalgic experience that only one who has been there will know. Based on the life of the Tea Plantations of a bygone era, it is a book that must be read if one is interested in knowing how real it was. Her unique style of writing gives the reader an actual feel of what is was like. Especially, as she describes the estate workers preparing for Deepavali. You cannot help but feel their excitement in the pages.
Reading through, one is compelled to notice how this life has had its impact on the writer, one that moulded her to greater things. It is a book suitable for people in all walks of life, and has something that appeals to everyone.
In her later years, in her stint in Kolkata, she experienced what the people actually went through in their daily lives. Having lived the last 45 years in Canada, Saitha pursued a career as an IT developer.
There is little doubt where her empathy for those lesser fortunate had come from. In her generosity Saitha has pledged that all proceeds from the sale of the book will be given to LEADS a social service organization. The book was launched at the Sri Lanka Foundation, on March 8, at 6 p.m.
The book will also be available at LEADS Head Office. For further details check out their website at www.leads.lk
Proceeds in aid of ESCAPE, the child protection division of LEADS